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The College of Engineering welcomed its students to Minivation Fest, a two-day event held in the Millennium Point building. Find out what went on and why it’s important for students building a career.
What is Minivation Fest?
Minivation Fest is a two-day celebration of innovation and collaboration, and acts as a precursor to Innovation Festival – a two week-long showcase of project work created by students in the faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE). The festival is attended by both students and industry partners.
Minivation Fest has a full schedule of events, including:
- Interactive workshops with industry partners such as Equal Engineers
- Student project showcases and competitions
- Networking sessions with industry partners such as Siemens, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus, Rolls Royce SMR and MK Meteorology
- Re-imagining Engineering talk from Head of College, Laura Leyland
Student work that is presented at Minivation Fest also gets the chance to be selected to be showcased at Innovation Fest.
Engineering student, Ayodeji, said: “Minivation Fest was a fantastic opportunity to display my project and receive valuable feedback. It was also inspiring to hear from key players in the industry and gain insights into the latest innovations. The event was incredibly exciting and well thought out, making it a truly memorable experience.”
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Why should students attend Minivation Fest?
Minivation Fest is an important opportunity for students, as it’s a gateway to industry professionals and employers. The festival is beneficial for both students and employers, giving students an opportunity to network and make connections whilst giving employers a taste of what BCU’s Engineering courses and ideas for potential collaborations.
As well as this, Minivation Fest is useful for:
- Shaping the next generation: Participate in competitions, gaining useful critique and valuable industry perspectives to help refine skills.
- Collaboration: Explore research projects and opportunities for collaboration with engineering specialists.
- Talent scouting: Employers engage with students, offering placements that provide their businesses with fresh perspectives while helping to develop future engineers.
Professor of Engineering (Product Design), Islah Ali-MacLachlan, said: "Minivation Fest was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the talent and creativity of our students while giving industry partners a hands-on experience of our courses. Every Engineering student had the chance to connect with potential future employers, engage in employability workshops like interview techniques, and gain real insight into industry expectations. Companies also collaborated closely with BCU staff to embed employability into every module. At the College of Engineering, we are not just preparing students for the future—we are building it together."
Overall, Minivation Fest is a fantastic opportunity for both students and industry partners, giving both insight into each other’s worlds, but predominantly paving the way for students to go on to have exciting careers with impressive companies.